Anyone who's suffered from asthma (like us) knows that water sports can be some of the most frightening activities--and any that require prolonged periods beneath the surface are the absolute worst of all.

That's why the Asthma Freedom Snorkel might sound like fodder for an SNL skit but is actually an important product. The snorkel--which manufacturer MediDive calls the first of its kind--gives immediate access to inhaler medication, helping to lessen the panic attacks that are so familiar (and potentially dangerous) to asthmatics.

So far, it has gotten positive reviews in Australia by tour operators on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a product that will be especially appreciated by parents of children with the condition, who would otherwise miss out on the unique experience. Think about it: What if Jacques Cousteau had been born with asthma?